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Review
. 2025 Jan 13;26(2):614.
doi: 10.3390/ijms26020614.

Critical Review of the Cross-Links Between Dietary Components, the Gut Microbiome, and Depression

Nidesha Randeni  1 , Baojun Xu  1
Affiliations
Review

Critical Review of the Cross-Links Between Dietary Components, the Gut Microbiome, and Depression

Nidesha Randeni et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The complex relationship between diet, the gut microbiota, and mental health, particularly depression, has become a focal point of contemporary research. This critical review examines how specific dietary components, such as fiber, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, shape the gut microbiome and influence microbial metabolism in order to regulate depressive outcomes. These dietary-induced changes in the gut microbiota can modulate the production of microbial metabolites, which play vital roles in gut-brain communication. The gut-brain axis facilitates this communication through neural, immune, and endocrine pathways. Alterations in microbial metabolites can influence central nervous system (CNS) functions by impacting neuroplasticity, inflammatory responses, and neurotransmitter levels-all of which are linked to the onset and course of depression. This review highlights recent findings linking dietary components with beneficial changes in gut microbiota composition and reduced depressive symptoms. We also explore the challenges of individual variability in responses to dietary interventions and the long-term sustainability of these strategies. The review underscores the necessity for further longitudinal and mechanistic studies to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which diet and gut microbiota interactions can be leveraged to mitigate depression, paving the way for personalized nutritional therapies.

Keywords: diet; dietary patterns; gut health; mental health; neurotransmitters.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Gut dysbiosis in depression.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The gut–brain axis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Neuroactive metabolites produced by the gut microbiome.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The function of dietary fiber in connection with brain function and gut microbiota. ↑, increase; ↓, decrease.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The role of proteins in the gut microbiome and brain function. ↑, increase; ↓, decrease.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The role of PUFAs in relation to the gut microbiome and brain function. ↑, increase; ↓, decrease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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